Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on Why Artists Get Screwed by Major Labels

Inside the Playbook: Azad Naficy on Why Artists Get Screwed by Major Labels

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, host Mauricio Ruiz and Azad Naficy break down one of the biggest questions in the music industry today:


Does every artist need a major label or can you build a successful career independently?


Azad offers a refreshingly honest look at the advantages and limitations of major label partnerships, from global reach and international infrastructure to the realities of misaligned deals and lost creative direction. He also explains why some artists thrive in the independent sector, especially when they build a strong, bespoke team that actually understands their vision.

This conversation dives deep into:
• how to evaluate a record deal and what a label can really offer
• why artist development is still the foundation of every long career
• the qualities that make a great A&R
• challenges artists face when signing too early
• what independence looks like when done intentionally
• how to build a team that supports your long-term goals

Whether you're considering a label deal, building an independent operation, or trying to understand how to scale your music career the right way, this clip delivers practical guidance you won’t hear in most industry rooms.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.


Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OEmeP3qCOLotxuji6se0j?si=IGzhU94zT2ydsy63TGkhuw


Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Episoder(271)

Inside the Playbook: JMSN on Why Music Videos Can Still Win for Artists

Inside the Playbook: JMSN on Why Music Videos Can Still Win for Artists

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Inside the Playbook: JMSN on Why Being “Cool” Online Is Bad for Your Music Career

Inside the Playbook: JMSN on Why Being “Cool” Online Is Bad for Your Music Career

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, we talk about the part of the music business that’s driving artists crazy: the endless “how to blow up” social media advice that sounds confident and works fo...

14 Mar 14min

Inside the Playbook: JMSN on the DIY Blueprint to Grow Without Record Labels

Inside the Playbook: JMSN on the DIY Blueprint to Grow Without Record Labels

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, JMSN breaks down the real economics of the music industry: a record deal isn’t automatically “support.” It’s a trade of ownership and creative control for con...

13 Mar 10min

The Manager’s Playbook 058: JMSN - DIY Artist Blueprint, Music Videos, Ads, Touring, Content & Music Marketing

The Manager’s Playbook 058: JMSN - DIY Artist Blueprint, Music Videos, Ads, Touring, Content & Music Marketing

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, I sit down with JMSN, artist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and one of the best case studies for what real independent artist success looks like when you ...

10 Mar 1h 53min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on The Skill Every Music Manager Needs

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on The Skill Every Music Manager Needs

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving unpacks a “superpower” that’s quietly responsible for most long careers in the music business: surrounding yourself with the right people, reading the room, ...

9 Mar 18min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Operate Like a Record Label in Any Role

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Operate Like a Record Label in Any Role

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving III breaks down what changes when you go from managing outside the label system to operating inside it, and why most “label frustration” is really a culture ...

8 Mar 19min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on What to Do Before Artists Break

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on What to Do Before Artists Break

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving breaks down a truth the music business loves to forget: artist trust is built in the off-season.Not when the venue is sold out. Not when the streams spike. R...

7 Mar 21min

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Spot Great Artists Early

Inside the Playbook: J Erving III on How to Spot Great Artists Early

In this Manager’s Playbook clip, J. Erving breaks down how top music executives, A&Rs, and elite artist managers actually identify greatness and it’s not just “talent.”We talk artist development throu...

6 Mar 20min

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